THE ABSORPTION OF NUTRIENTS BY TWO VARIETIES OF WHEAT GROWN ON THE BLACK AND GRAY SOILS OF ALBERTA

Abstract

Chemical analyses carried out at five stages of development of Reward and Red Bobs wheat grown on the black and the gray soils of Alberta showed that differences in soil and variety significantly influenced the composition of the plants.The weights of dry matter and all nutrients studied were higher for the black-soil plants.On the basis of percentage dry matter all nutrients, except phosphorus, were higher in the black-soil plants. Reward was higher than Red Bobs in nitrogen when grown on the black soil; and in ash, phosphorus and potassium when grown on the gray soil.The grain of gray-soil plants was higher in all ash constituents but lower in nitrogen. Varietal differences were more marked in the grain and straw of the mature plants, Reward grain grown on both soils being higher in nitrogen, ash, phosphorus and magnesium.The total weights, percentages, rates of absorption and ion ratios all indicated that nitrogen and sulphur were limiting the growth of wheat on the gray soil. It is suggested that the proportionately higher absorption of phosphorus from the soil was in compensation for the low availability of nitrogen and sulphur.The differences in original quality of the wheats grown on the two soils can be largely accounted for by the differences in protein content, and therefore nitrogen supply. Phosphorus absorption, nitrogen, phosphorus and sulphur balance, and the relation of ash to protein, are possibly important in determining the keeping properties of the flour.